Event organised to bring communities together raises over £300 for children in hospital

An awards ceremony designed to celebrate the borough’s diverse community has had an added bonus – by raising £335 for kids in hospital.

The Oldham Excellence Awards was a bonanza of positivity as it rewarded achievers from white British, South Asian and even Irish backgrounds for their outstanding work advancing unity. 

Raffles and donations at the Eastern Pavillion held ceremony also swelled the coffers of the Mayor of Oldham’s charities – including skills, knowledge and confidence cause Positive Steps, and the children’s ward at the Royal Oldham Hospital. 

And as if they were not enough glad tidings – the pre-Christmas awards scheme has announced it is set to continue and become a treasured annual event in the calendar. 

“It was so pleasing to see so many volunteers, organisations and individuals making their way to the podium” said Amin Babor Chowdhury who organised the event on behalf of The Mayor’s We Are The Community initiative, “they represented the full diaspora of Oldham communities and had just one common aim – binding the borough together for the common good.” 
 

Recipients included dynamic young charity fundraiser and Future Leaders mentor Nabila Rahman, and co-founder of top 100 UK social enterprise Upturn, Maria Williams.  

The latter’s many achievements include the setting-up of CROWN - a business network aiding female-led businesses. 
 

My Coldhurst and the British Muslim Heritage Centre were amongst the organisations honoured; while “voice of the community” Abdul Hannan and charity publicist Pete Gibson (who helped the world hear of the planet’s first COVID clinic for the homeless, organised in Derker) took media awards. 
 

A pivotal part was played by Oldham Mayor Councillor Eddie Moores who hosted winners at his parlour. In a letter to Amin Chowdhury, he praised the honours and described their organiser as, “an asset to Oldham!” 
 

The force behind the British Education Awards, Amin himself has been a tireless charity champion for Oldham – competing in much-heralded sponsored walks for good causes here and in Bangladesh. 
 

He concluded: “The air of positivity at the ceremony was palpable and it is that attitude that has made these diligent people into Excellence Award winners.  

Even in their moment they were there helping others – including the 140 children who will spend Christmas in hospital. I thank them and look forward to this celebration of compassion in Oldham continuing for years to come!”